What a day it was
Month: July 2025
Twins minor league players of the week are Kyler Fedko & Adrian Bohorquez
The Twins announced that Double-A Wichita outfielder Kyler Fedko and Low-A Fort Myers right-handed pitcher Adrian Bohorquez have been named Twins minor league Player and Pitcher of the Week.
Fedko, 25, hit .313 (5-for-16), with one double, three home runs, four RBI, five walks, three stolen bases, a .476 on-base percentage and a 1.414 OPS in five games for the Wind Surge. During the week, Fedko reached 20 home runs, giving him a 20 HR/20 SB season for the first time in his career. The Gibsonia, PA native was selected by Minnesota in the 12th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Connecticut. A 20/20 season is nothing to sneeze at.
Bohorquez, 20, started and earned the win for the Mighty Mussels on July 24 at Lakeland, allowing one unearned run on two hits, with one hit batter, no walks and three strikeouts in 4.0 innings. The La Victoria, Venezuela native was signed by the Twins as a free agent in January 2023.
Bill Dailey, Won’t You Please Come In
William Garland “Bill” Dailey passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025, in Bedford, Virginia. He was 89. Though his major league career was brief, Dailey left a lasting impression on Minnesota baseball fans during the team’s 1963 surge toward contention.
A Breakout Season in the Bullpen
Signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1953, Dailey climbed through the minors before making his MLB debut in 1961. But it was his 1963 season with the Twins that etched his name into team lore.
- 66 games pitched
- 6–3 record, 1.99 ERA
- 21 saves, third-most in the AL
- 108? innings, just 81 hits allowed
- 72 strikeouts, 29 walks
He anchored the bullpen during a critical mid-season stretch when the Twins rattled off a 25–12 run, putting serious pressure on the New York Yankees. Dailey wasn’t just efficient—he was electrifying. With his sidearm delivery and nerves of steel, he became Met Stadium’s “late-inning locksmith.”
A Fan Favorite in Song
Dailey’s calm command inspired more than applause—it inspired art. In July 1963, Sports Illustrated profiled him as the Twins’ emerging super-hero, complete with organist Willie Peterson playing “(Won’t You Come Home) Bill Bailey” as Dailey trotted in from the bullpen.
Columnist Bill McGrane of the Minneapolis Tribune took it further, adapting the lyrics to honor Dailey:
“Won’t you come in, Bill Dailey, We blew a three-run lead. You do the pitchin’, baby, we’ll get ’em back, We like your sidearm speed…”
Sung informally by fans, printed in the paper, and quoted across press clippings, this lyrical nod remains one of the rare musical tributes ever written for a major-league reliever. It reflected how deeply Dailey resonated with a fanbase hungry for a steadying force.
A Life Rooted in Grace
A rotator cuff injury in 1964 ended Dailey’s career just shy of qualifying for a major league pension. He never let bitterness define him.
He settled in Dublin, Virginia, where he built a life rooted in humility, family, and quiet reflection. He shared stories graciously with baseball historians and fans who sought him out decades later. In a 2010 interview, Dailey spoke candidly about the abrupt end of his playing days—and how he chose gratitude over regret.
The Summer He Ruled Minnesota
By mid-season in 1963, Dailey had become not just reliable, but revered. He saved tight games against the White Sox and Orioles, walked to the mound with a signature cross-in-the-dirt gesture, and pitched like a man on a mission.
“Dailey walked like Shane—loose, but ready to gun anyone down.” — Sports Illustrated, July 1963
That summer, Twins bumper stickers shouted “Win! Twins!” and kids across the state wore Dailey’s number. The team’s rise—from burial to belief—was built on the backs of quiet heroes like Bill.
A Legacy Preserved
For Twins fans who remember 1963, Dailey remains a symbol of excellence, composure, and unsung brilliance. He never sought attention, but he earned admiration.
His story now lives on at TwinsTrivia.com, preserved with the same care and reverence he brought to the game. Bill Dailey didn’t just save runs—he saved summers, inspired songs, and became part of Minnesota’s baseball soul.
My interview with Bill Dailey back in March 2010 (about 89 minutes long)
Jeff Bittiger – former Twins pitcher and long time baseball man passes away at 63
Jeffrey Bittiger, of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at his home on July 19, 2025, at the age of 63, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on April 13, 1962, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Gary and Lois Bittiger, Jeff lived a life marked by determination, athleticism, and unwavering devotion to the game of baseball.
A gifted three-sport athlete at Secaucus High School, Jeff earned all-state honors in baseball, basketball, and football—achievements later recognized with his induction into the Hudson County Hall of Fame. His prowess on the diamond caught the attention of Major League scouts, and in 1980 he was selected in the seventh round of the MLB Draft by the New York Mets. Regarded as a rare two-way prospect, Jeff possessed both a powerful fastball—topping out at 93 MPH—and the ability to swing the bat with authority.
Twins minor league players of the week are Leon & Garcia
Dominican Summer League infielder Santiago León and Florida Complex League right-handed pitcher Joel García have been named Twins minor league Player and Pitcher of the Week.
Santiago Leon https://streamable.com/m/top-int-l-prospect-santiago-leon-ss?partnerId=web_video-playback-page_video-share
León, 17, played in five games for the DSL Twins, hitting .333 (6-for-18) with one double, one triple, two RBI, three walks, nine runs scored and a .978 OPS. The Carabobo, Venezuela native was signed by the Twins in January for $1,697,500.
García, 21, made the start on Tuesday at FCL Braves, pitching 5.2 scoreless innings, with five hits allowed, two walks and six strikeouts. The Anaco, Venezuela native was signed by the Twins in December of 2022.
Twins minor league players of the week are Marco Raya & Jaime Ferrer
The Minnesota Twins have named Triple-A St. Paul right-handed pitcher Marco Raya and High-A Cedar Rapids outfielder/first baseman Jaime Ferrer as minor league Pitcher and Player of the Week.
Marco Raya was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the 2020 MLB June Amateur Draft from United South HS (Laredo, TX). Raya had committed to Texas Tech but signed with the Twins instead for a bonus of $410,000. Last week Raya, 22, started for the Saints on Thursday vs. Iowa, allowing one run on three hits in 6 innings pitched, with one walk and seven strikeouts. About time the Twins let this Raya pitch some innings. MLB Pipeline has Raya as the Twins sixth best prospect. Depending on how things go, you might see him at Target Field yet this season.
Former Twins pitcher Dan Serafini found guilty of murder
Dan Serafini was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (26th) of the 1992 MLB June Amateur Draft from Junipero Serra HS (San Mateo, CA). Serafini debuted with the Twins on June 25, 1996 in the second game of a DH at the Metrodome against the New York Yankees.
Serafini was the Twins starter and pitched 4.1 innings (80 pitches) allowing 5 earned runs on 7 hits, 2 hits while striking out one Yankee batter. Serafini was the losing pitcher in a Yankee 6-2 win. That was the only game Serafini pitched for the Twins in 1997 and he appeared in 6 games in 1997. He 1998 he made the Twins starting rotation starting 28 games with a 7-4 record with a 6.48 ERA. Serafini was a hit-to-contact pitcher with questionable control as he struck out 46 and walked 29 in 75 innings. On March 31, 1999 he was purchased by the Chicago Cubs. Serafini finished his career with the Twins with a 9-6 record and a 5.88 ERA in 35 games. Serafini pitched 105.2 innings allowing 129 hits while striking out 62 and walking 42.
Serafini went on to pitch for the San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and finished his big league career with the Colorado Rockies in 2007 appearing in 3 games. That same year, he was suspended for 50 games for using performance-enhancing drugs. Serafini apparently still had hopes of pitching in the majors and hung around in the minors through 2013 and pitching in Mexico, China and Japan.
Twins minor league players of the week
The Minnesota Twins have named Double-A Wichita outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez and Low-A Fort Myers right-handed pitcher Adrian Bohorquez as the club’s minor league Player and Pitcher of the Week.
Gonzalez, 21, played in five games for the Wind Surge, hitting .400 (8-for-20) with two doubles, one home run, three RBI, five walks and a 1.170 OPS. Gabby is rated as the Twins 17th best prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Bohorquez, 20, made a relief appearance on Wednesday at Bradenton, pitching 5.0 scoreless and hitless innings, with five strikeouts and one hit batter.
Twins draft history
A Decade of First-Round Picks: Minnesota Twins (2015–2024)
From high-school phenoms to polished college bats, Minnesota’s first-round haul over the last ten years has been a roller-coaster of hopes, breakthroughs and what-ifs. The Derek Falvey regime took over in 2017. Here’s the year-by-year rundown:
2015 – Tyler Jay, LHP (Illinois, College) MLB Debut: 2024 (with the New York Mets) Status: Never threw a Major-League inning for Minnesota; debuted after release.
2016 – Alex Kirilloff, OF (Plum High School, PA) MLB Debut: 2021 Status: Retired in October 2024 due to chronic injuries; slashed .248/.327/.412 in 249 games.
2017 – Royce Lewis, SS (JSerra Catholic High School, CA) MLB Debut: 2022 Status: Core infielder and rising star—30+ homers in his first 150 games. That said, injuries have limited him to 188 games over four seasons.
2018 – Trevor Larnach, OF (Oregon State, College) MLB Debut: 2021 Status: Regular role player in the corner outfield; average-defense and a developing bat.
2019 – Keoni Cavaco, SS (Eastlake High School, CA) MLB Debut: — Status: Converted to pitcher in the Minors, released in 2024 without reaching Double-A.
2020 – Aaron Sabato, 1B (University of North Carolina, College) MLB Debut: — Status: Struggling in the Minors (.199 average in ’24); reached AAA St. Paul in 2025. Free-agent candidate.
2021 – Chase Petty, RHP (Mainland Regional High School, NJ) MLB Debut: — Status: Traded to Cincinnati in 2022; pitching in Double-A.
2022 – Brooks Lee, SS (Cal Poly, College) MLB Debut: 2024 Status: Made the Twins team out of Spring Training in 2025 but started on the IL; lauded for bat-to-ball skills and defensive polish.
2023 – Walker Jenkins, OF (South Brunswick High School, NC) MLB Debut: — Status: Top organizational prospect; has power and speed. The bad news he has been injured too frequently and the Twins bring him back slowly to protect him.
2024 – Kaelen Culpepper, SS (Kansas State, College) MLB Debut: — Status: In Double-A; praised for plate discipline and versatile glove work. Surprise of 2025 Twins minor league system?
Hosken Powell, Steady Right Fielder for the Minnesota Twins, Dies at 70
Hosken Powell, a left-handed outfielder whose contact bat and steady glove anchored the Minnesota Twins’ right field through the late 1970s and very early 80’s, passed away on June 27, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. He was 70.
Born on May 14, 1955 in Selma, Ala., Powell fell in love with baseball while watching his father play on a local team his grandfather managed. During his youth, Powell moved with his family to Pensacola, Fla., and starred for the football, basketball and baseball teams at Woodham High School. He loved fishing and hunting.
After he graduated, he attended Chipola College in Marianna, Fla., where he blossomed into a five-tool outfielder and a much-coveted prospect. His roommate at Chipola College was future longtime MLB manager Buck Showalter. He made his Major League debut on Opening Day 1978, leading off for Minnesota and notching his first hit against the Seattle Mariners. It was a fitting start for a player who would become a fixture in the Twins’ lineup during a transitional era for the franchise.